Category Archives: YSL

Some of my favorite lip products of all time are the YSL Glossy Stains (I have reviews of two and swatches of two more here — scroll down), so I was very excited to hear that L’oreal was releasing a new lip product called Shine Caresse, which is very similar to the Glossy Stains. After trying out the Shine Caresse glosses, I can confirm that they are indeed very similar. I started to write a review post that also compared the L’oreal product to the YSL product, but it was so long that I decided to split it into two parts: this is a review of the overall product and a comparison to the YSL Glossy stains, and I will post swatches separately (update: swatches are here).

A note about names: I have heard these referred to as Shine Caresse glosses (that’s what they are called in Europe, where they have been available for a while), but the L’oreal display I saw said Color Caresse instead – perhaps that is the US name? I’m not sure.

An update: I’m very confused about the name for these – Target is calling them L’oreal Colour Riche Caresse Aqua Lip Lacquer, and Drugstore.com is calling them L’Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Wet Shine Stain. The good news is that if you can’t find them locally – you can currently buy them online at Target.com for $7.99 each, or at Drugstore.com (which has a lower free ship minimum) for $9.99!

The packaging of the Shine Caresse / Color Caresse glosses is fine – I don’t really like gold (I prefer black), but I’m sure some other do. They’re very lightweight (especially compared the the Glossy Stain packaging), and the tops attach securely. The applicator is very similar to the Glossy Stain applicator, but not identical.

Glossy Stain applicator / Shine Caresse applicator

Glossy Stain applicator / Shine Caresse applicator

The texture of the two products is also similar – both are very thin and easy to apply, but quickly dry down to a transfer – resistant finish. I find that the Glossy Stain is a bit more tacky feeling as it dries down, but the difference is minimal. I think the L’oreal product transfers just a bit less, but it’s quite hard to say – and it may depend on the shade.

I purchased four shades, and all four have good pigmentation when swatches and freshly applied. I found that the darkest two colors leave a significant stain; the one leaves a medium stain, and the lightest barely stains at all. This is similar to the YSL Glossy Stains – the darker shades stain and the lighter shades do not.

Both products are fragranced. I’ve heard that that others find them heavily fragranced, especially the L’oreal, but I tend not to notice scents (and I also have a cold right now). They smell fairly similar to me – sort of perfumey and floral.

Wear time also seems similar between the two products – it varies from about 3 hours with the lighter shades to 5-6 hours with the darker shades, with the stain lasting even longer. I find both products very comfortable to wear, though I’ve heard some say that they find the YSL Glossy Stains to be drying, especially when worn multiple days in a row.

As an update: I’ve now worn the L’oreal Shine Caresse glosses several times, and overall I find that they are a touch more drying, but a touch longer lasting, than the YSL Glossy Stains on me. As always, your mileage may vary!

I also have photos of the display, with all the US shade names – there appear to be twelve shades:

Pink Perseverance, Pink Resistance, Rose On and On

Lilac Ever After, Berry Persistent, Infinite Fuchsia

Coral Tattoo, Pink Rebellion, Endless Red

Stubborn Plum, Everlasting Caramel, Eternally Nude

Overall, I am loving the L’oreal Shine Caresse gloss stains – they are not identical to the YSL glossy stains, but they are very similar, and they are a lovely product in their own right as well! I will definitely be buying more.

I don’t have a real post prepared today, so here are some photographs I have around. Above – my Nail Pattern Boldness polishes (a couple of them just arrived today – the second from the left, Oodiful, is from the new Dr. Who – themed collection.) I’m currently working on a Glitter Food review (it’s a topcoat, and can be used to fix polishes with sinking glitter).

I’m also working on a review of this giant $10, 100-pan eyeshadow ELF Holiday Eyeshadow palette from Target.

On the other end of the cost spectrum, I’ve recently purchased two YSL Glossy stains – 1 Violet Edition & Mauve Pigmente. I’m not sure that I’ll review them, so here are swatches of both – left hand photo has swatches swiped with the applicator, on the right they’re blended in a bit with my finger.

left: 1 Violet Edition // right: 4 Mauve Pigmente (in both photos)

I only have 1 Violet Edition swatched on my lips:

But hey, here’s a photo of the applicator for number 4:

I also recently managed to get my hands on Sahara Treasure Infallible from Canada, which isn’t available in the US:

That’s all for now! If you like this kind of post, please follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook – I tend to post this type of photo in those places!

Continuing on with the mini-reviews, I bring you YSL Glossy Stain #12, Corail Fauve.

I think the packaging is a bit overdone; I’d prefer a black top – but it’s certainly functional, and I very much like that you can see the product color inside. I like the shape of the doe-foot applicator – it makes precise application easy.

The Glossy Stain has a very thin texture, and it’s easy to apply a thin coat to your lips, which is then comfortable and quite long-wearing. The darker colors leave a very long-wearing stain, while the lighter colors (like this one) do not. However, I still find that Corail Fauve lasts extremely well as compared to other lipcolors of similar intensity.

YSL #12 Corail Fauve

YSL #12 Corail Fauve

I’ve seen several swatches of this around; it’s much more natural looking on me and much brighter on some others. I recommending swatching it in-store if it appeals to you! Note that Sephora only carries this shade online, but Nordstrom has it in-store.

Ever since they first came out a little while ago, I’ve been intrigued by the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture – Vernis a Levres Glossy Stains, which are a combination lipgloss and lip stain. Today, I have a review and swatches of 13 Rose Tempura for you – which, as it turns out, is an exact dupe of NARS Velvet Gloss Pencil in Mexican Rose.

The YSL Glossy Stains are packaged in a luxe black and gold tube with a uniquely shaped doe-foot applicator that works very well for application. I really like the packaging – it is both functional and elegant.

The gloss/stain has a nice texture – it’s nonsticky and only a little bit slippery, which I think is nice. I don’t like thick or slippery lipglosses, and in fact I rarely wear lipgloss at all – but I find this product very comfortable to wear. It is possible to apply a thin coat – which is how I like to wear it – and with a thin coat it’s not very glossy, though it does have a sheen.

YSL 13 Rose Tempura

The color is a mid-toned bright pink, and it does stain the skin. Above, I’ve wiped off the glossy color with a makeup wipe. If I scrub, I can remove all the color with some effort.

Although the packaging is completely different, this product is an exact dupe of NARS Mexican Rose Velvet Gloss Pencil. Not only are they the exact same color, but both apply glossy, but then fade to a long lasting stain.

NARS; YSL

Here are lip swatches of both – sorry but I’ve switched the order from the swatches above!

YSL Glossy Stain 13 on left; NARS Mexican Rose on right

Even if you love this color – and it’s a lovely color – you definitely do not need both of these products! Since the packaging is so different, it’s really up to personal preference; the YSL is better if you prefer a liquid you apply with a doe-foot, and the NARS is better if you would prefer a pencil (though keep in mind that you will lose product when you sharpen). The YSL is $32, and the NARS is $24.